Tensec Company Profile

Background

Founded in 2023, Tensec is a global fintech company dedicated to revolutionizing the cross-border financial ecosystem through technology. The company's mission is to empower small and medium-sized businesses (SMBs) to thrive in the global trade marketplace by providing user-friendly, efficient, and secure global transaction banking solutions. Tensec's vision is to make financial solutions borderless and easily accessible, leveraging artificial intelligence (AI) to streamline processes and enhance user experience.

Key Strategic Focus

Tensec's strategic focus centers on developing AI-powered financial solutions that simplify and expedite cross-border transactions for SMBs. The company's core objectives include:

Fast Onboarding: Utilizing AI to verify documentation and onboard clients in under 10 minutes.

Real-Time Payments: Connecting global real-time payment networks to facilitate cross-border money transfers in as little as 10 seconds.

Transparent Global Money Movement: Providing clients with real-time visibility into their transactions, ensuring transparency and trust.

Safe and Compliant Foreign Exchange (FX): Partnering with regulated financial institutions to ensure secure and compliant payment processing.

By focusing on these areas, Tensec aims to transform global trade by making financial transactions simple, fast, and transparent for SMBs.

Financials and Funding

In August 2023, Tensec completed a seed funding round, securing investments from five notable venture capital firms:

Cambrian Fintech

Costanoa Ventures

IGNIA Partners

Quiet Capital

WillowTree Investments

The capital raised is intended to support the development and expansion of Tensec's AI-driven financial solutions, enhance technological infrastructure, and accelerate market penetration.

Technological Platform and Innovation

Tensec differentiates itself through its proprietary AI technology, which underpins its financial solutions. Key technological innovations include:

AI-Powered Onboarding: Automated verification of client documentation, reducing onboarding time to under 10 minutes.

Real-Time Payment Processing: Integration with global payment networks to enable near-instantaneous cross-border transactions.

Transparent Transaction Tracking: Providing clients with real-time updates on the status of their payments, enhancing transparency and trust.

These innovations position Tensec as a leader in leveraging AI to streamline and secure cross-border financial transactions for SMBs.

Leadership Team

Tensec's leadership team comprises experienced professionals with backgrounds in fintech, technology, and global business operations:

Helcio Nobre: Co-Founder & Co-Chief Executive Officer

Rene Abe: Co-Chief Executive Officer (Brazil) & Data Protection Officer

Santiago Alvarado: Co-Chief Executive Officer (Mexico)

Sandrine Cousquer-Okasmaa: Co-Founder & Chief Operating Officer

Yang Wang: Co-Founder & Vice President of Engineering

The founders have extensive experience, having driven startups from foundation to exit, built decacorns, and led global teams at companies such as PayPal, Credit Karma, Facebook, Goldman Sachs, Visa, Mastercard, and American Express.

Competitor Profile

Market Insights and Dynamics

The cross-border financial services market is a rapidly growing sector, driven by increasing globalization and the need for efficient international payment solutions. SMBs, in particular, require accessible and cost-effective platforms to facilitate global trade. The market is characterized by a shift towards digitalization, with AI and machine learning playing pivotal roles in enhancing transaction speed, security, and transparency.

Competitor Analysis

Tensec operates in a competitive landscape with several key players offering cross-border payment solutions. Notable competitors include:

Wise (formerly TransferWise): Provides low-cost international money transfers with transparent fees and real exchange rates.

Payoneer: Offers cross-border payment solutions tailored for businesses, including mass payouts and working capital.

Revolut: A digital banking platform offering international money transfers, currency exchange, and business accounts.

These competitors focus on providing efficient and cost-effective cross-border payment solutions, leveraging technology to enhance user experience and transaction transparency.

Strategic Collaborations and Partnerships

Tensec collaborates with regulated financial institutions to ensure the safety and compliance of its payment processing services. In the United States, Tensec operates under the name Tensec Payments, Inc., registered as a Money Services Business (MSB) and partners with Stearns Bank. This partnership ensures that client payments are securely stored, processed, and delivered to their destinations in compliance with regulatory standards.

Operational Insights

Tensec's strategic positioning focuses on providing SMBs with AI-driven, efficient, and transparent cross-border financial solutions. By leveraging proprietary technology and forming strategic partnerships, Tensec differentiates itself through rapid onboarding, real-time payments, and enhanced transaction transparency. These capabilities offer a competitive advantage in the rapidly evolving fintech landscape.